1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The play Rez Sisters takes place in the summer of 1986 in Ontario, Canada. It focuses on seven women and their life on the Wasaychigan Hill Reserve. The women are Pelajia Patchnose, Philomena Moosetail, Marie-Adele Starblanket, Annie Cook, Emily Dictionary, Veronique St. Pierre, and Zhaboonigan Peterson. They all decide to travel to Toronto to participate in “THE BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD”.As we learn more about the women, we learn more about the dark lifestyle that can take place on an Indian Reserve.
2. What is the intrusion?
I’d say the intrusion is when all the women learn of the Big Bingo event in Toronto.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor that takes place is when they decide to go to “THE BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD” event and start planning for it.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
In my opinion, the big dramatic question at the end of the play is do the women end up fulfill their dreams and aspirations? Also will they win “THE BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD” event?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it. One example of an exposition in the play is in the beginning of the play when we are introduced to Pelajia Patchnose. Highway gives a great description of Pelajia and the setting, which gives a better understanding of what the play will be like. Another example of an exposition is when they introduce Emily Dictionary, describing her as a “tough lady wearing cowboy boots”. It gives the reader a very good idea of what her character is like and helps us understand the way she acts when she starts speaking.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
In my opinion, the most theatrical moment is when Marie-Adele dies. While it was likely to happen due to her cancer, it is still a very dramatic and tragic moment of the play. The reader feels great sympathy for her as she was never able to buy her island and dies at a young age.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Themes of the play include family, abuse, and dreams.
8. What does the chief character want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
In my opinion the chief character is Pelajia Patchnose. Pelagia dreams of a life away from the reservation. She is tired of Ontario and is constantly complaining of it . She also wants to visit Toronto and compete in “THE BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD” event. However she has to overcome obstacles such as lack of money, transportation, and food. She works with the women to overcome these obstacles, but eventually does not leave the reservation. She decides to stay and work on improving it.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
Philomena’s toilet, and Veronique’s stove are examples of images in the play. They are symbolic of the wants of the women. These objects help the women move forward in life and keep going. The fact that they both have goals help unite them together, making them “Rez Sisters”. The big bingo event itself could also be an image. This is so because it is symbolic of escapism. This is so because the women leave the reservation in order to go to it. It enforces the idea of all of them being “Rez Sisters” as they seem to be together on the reservation a lot and all need a break from it.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
In my opinion, the way all the women interact with each other is in a very family like way, even if they all aren’t related to one another. While they do often argue, you see throughout the play that they genuinely care for one another. It brings up the idea that family always doesn’t necessarily mean blood relation.
The play Rez Sisters takes place in the summer of 1986 in Ontario, Canada. It focuses on seven women and their life on the Wasaychigan Hill Reserve. The women are Pelajia Patchnose, Philomena Moosetail, Marie-Adele Starblanket, Annie Cook, Emily Dictionary, Veronique St. Pierre, and Zhaboonigan Peterson. They all decide to travel to Toronto to participate in “THE BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD”.As we learn more about the women, we learn more about the dark lifestyle that can take place on an Indian Reserve.
2. What is the intrusion?
I’d say the intrusion is when all the women learn of the Big Bingo event in Toronto.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor that takes place is when they decide to go to “THE BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD” event and start planning for it.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
In my opinion, the big dramatic question at the end of the play is do the women end up fulfill their dreams and aspirations? Also will they win “THE BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD” event?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
One example of an exposition in the play is in the beginning of the play when we are introduced to Pelajia Patchnose. Highway gives a great description of Pelajia and the setting, which gives a better understanding of what the play will be like. Another example of an exposition is when they introduce Emily Dictionary, describing her as a “tough lady wearing cowboy boots”. It gives the reader a very good idea of what her character is like and helps us understand the way she acts when she starts speaking.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
In my opinion, the most theatrical moment is when Marie-Adele dies. While it was likely to happen due to her cancer, it is still a very dramatic and tragic moment of the play. The reader feels great sympathy for her as she was never able to buy her island and dies at a young age.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Themes of the play include family, abuse, and dreams.
8. What does the chief character want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
In my opinion the chief character is Pelajia Patchnose. Pelagia dreams of a life away from the reservation. She is tired of Ontario and is constantly complaining of it . She also wants to visit Toronto and compete in “THE BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD” event. However she has to overcome obstacles such as lack of money, transportation, and food. She works with the women to overcome these obstacles, but eventually does not leave the reservation. She decides to stay and work on improving it.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
Philomena’s toilet, and Veronique’s stove are examples of images in the play. They are symbolic of the wants of the women. These objects help the women move forward in life and keep going. The fact that they both have goals help unite them together, making them “Rez Sisters”. The big bingo event itself could also be an image. This is so because it is symbolic of escapism. This is so because the women leave the reservation in order to go to it. It enforces the idea of all of them being “Rez Sisters” as they seem to be together on the reservation a lot and all need a break from it.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
In my opinion, the way all the women interact with each other is in a very family like way, even if they all aren’t related to one another. While they do often argue, you see throughout the play that they genuinely care for one another. It brings up the idea that family always doesn’t necessarily mean blood relation.